Student housing at U-M-Flint opens new possibilities in campus, community

Updated 10:00 AM October 23, 2006

Student housing at U-M-Flint opens new possibilities
in campus, community

By Mel Serow
U-M-Flint

The Board of Regents has approved a housing project for the Flint campus. The decision to add a residence hall to what for half a century has been a commuter campus was made at the Oct. 20 board meeting held at U-M-Flint.

"During the many wonderful events celebrating U-M-Flint's 50th anniversary, there was a great sense of reaffirmation and recommitment to the original mission of the University of Michigan-Flint: fulfilling the unique and ever-changing higher educational needs of the community with foresight, imagination, intelligence and bold action," said President Mary Sue Coleman. "I can think of no better proof of dedication to that approach for the next 50 years than with this exciting—and much needed—campus housing project."

"I am so very excited about the opportunity the new residence hall provides for the University of Michigan-Flint. It will enable us to expand not only the number of students, but the diversity of the campus," said Regent Olivia Maynard. "This will have a major impact on downtown Flint and will act as a catalyst to increasing the development near the Flint campus."

The estimated cost of the project is $21.3 million. Funding will come from U-M-Flint resources and a $1.75 million grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. The 300-bed residential hall will be in Parking Lot G, comprising 5.25 acres on the southern edge of the campus, adjacent to First Street and Willson Park.

"While the U-M-Flint already is doing an excellent job serving its existing regional student base, I expect the addition of on-campus housing to contribute to enrollment growth and expansion," Mott Foundation President William White said. "And this also should increase the momentum in the redevelopment of downtown Flint by adding several hundred young residents to other nearby apartment, loft and housing developments."

U-M-Flint recently has adopted a strategic plan to grow enrollment from 6,500 to 8,000 students by 2010. Creating a residential option for students is the key element of the plan.

"This is a historic moment for U-M-Flint, the beginning of a new era of growth and enrichment. Student housing will be the link between the achievements of the first 50 years and those of the next 50. It will give new life to the University and its neighborhood," says Chancellor Juan Mestas. "We are most grateful to the regents, President Coleman, and the C.S. Mott Foundation—especially to its president, William S. White—for this birthday present."

The foundation has a long history of support for U-M, particularly for the Flint campus. The campus was launched in 1956 with the help of $1 million gift from Charles Stewart Mott and was constructed on a parcel of land donated from his Applewood Estate.

Including the current gift, the foundation has made 89 grants to U-M-Flint totaling more than $42 million. Last year the foundation donated $25 million for the expansion of the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Women's Hospital on the Ann Arbor campus.

Student housing at U-M-Flint opens new possibilities in campus, community

More Stories

Student housing at U-M-Flint opens new possibilities
in campus, community